Discussion

would LOVE your thoughts on our Napa Itinerary...

We've received recommendations from friends, and I've scoured a lot of your earlier discussions - huge THANK YOU for all that great info.

We love wine (big reds vs. white/sparking) and live in NYC so are more interested in local restaurants vs. Morimoto, etc.

What are your thoughts / additional ideas / changes to this itinerary?

Arriving on 9/17- Driving from SF to meet driver (any recommendations for driver?)- 11:30 appointment at Caymus- Lunch TBD- 2 pm at Paraduxx- Thinking of stopping by Chimney Rock and Plumpjack- Dinner TBD, reservations as of last night at Redd Wood and Bistro Jeanty

9/18- Breakfast at hotel- 10 am at Quintessa- noonish stop by Chateau Montalena (picnic lunch or Gotts Roadside?)- 2 pm at Jordan- 4:30 pm at Frank Family - Thinking of stopping by Envy, August Biggs if time allows?- Dinner @ Bottega (9 pm reservation currently, were hoping for a bit earlier? is that too late in Napa?)

9/20- Breakfast at hotel- Depart for Sausalito, but can spend time around Napa as we have no set plans for the day/afternoon

A friend is trying to pull a few strings to get us a reservation at French Laundry, and we were interested in Redd - but we waited a bit too long to make reservations. oops. Would be interested in any of your recommendations for wineries, lunch, dinner, etc.

It's also my husband's 35th birthday, so if there are any special ideas for that, would love to hear them!

Pride is at the end of a long mountain drive - I would stay on the mountain longer and visit other wineries if that's what you choose to do.

Most of your winery choices are large brand name wineries. I would do one smaller, low-key winery just so you can see that side of Napa too. Corison is a good choice for this but there are many we can suggest.

My first question would be: do you know that Jordan is outside of Healdsburg in Sonoma? Having just done a preview of their new Estate Tour and Tasting, I'd recommend that, but it seems far from many of your other options. That said, here are others here who could offer more comments on the drive.

It's a shame that you'll miss Sonoma Valley. The wineries tend be be smaller, more personal, and you often have personal contact with the winemaker. I would encourage you to go to Envy winery. Would skip Chateau Montalena to do it.